Blizzard!

Blizzard is a GREAT card trick from the mind of Dean Dill
I actually view it more of a utility device than an effect (think: Brainwave that ends with an examinable deck, etc) if you like magic and are not familiar with this wonderful secret, I HIGHLY recommend 2 place it on your 'must list'

Note: this is a freely named card and at the end, the deck is examinable
http://www.deandill.com/blizzard.html
all Dill's stuff is great. His Coin Work is Stellar:  I highly recommend the Extreme Dean DVD's

X

Blizzard is also a game developer that is akin to crack of the video game world.

I got both Diablo 3 and Starcraft 2 for xmas and have done little more (in my free time) than play those games since xmas. (*usually my free time was spent improving my sleight of hand or magic knowledge)

Fortunately, I can always reflect on the words of John Lennon "Time you enjoy wasting is not wasted time"
(and in the case of Starcraft 2, this is a brain battle that requires keen senses and creativity to win against the amazing online players: I LOVE playing real time strategy against other players and their new system includes a 'ladder' ranking that is awesome (plus the campaign, single player mode is simply incredible: no wonder this game took 5...count em: 5 years to develop, I purposely avoided buying it, because I knew I would be sucked in. I was right. Devils work I tell ya! I shall not stop, but I shall delegate time: I'd think 30 minutes of Diablo and 2-3 games of Starcraft per day (aprox an hour - 1 & 1/2 hours of gaming is plenty) Considering I don't really watch TV, I don't think that's too much 'wasted tme")
Jeez, I feel like I'm confessing my sins!  But oh, the joy, just look at a couple of these screenshots, amazing
\

Diablo 3 ^

Starcraft 2 ^

It's starting to be an issue and thankfully, I'm now starting a new phase of life that will have me out of this house 5 days a week from 7:30-2:30 a..m. I'll be busy most of the time, but there will be stints when I'm not and I intend to use those stints to be magically productive. Time to administer some will power!

I mean really: I was rocking and rolling last year (with a couple lecture tours (one BIG One) and a couple convention appearances) I'd like to double that this year...This was scheduled to be MY year. So far, I've only wasted 1/2 of January (speaking of Blizzards, Ive also just started watching Game of Thrones ;) wow. So yeah, my free time slots are full
.
That's about to change :)  and with my todo list: more lecturing, working the Magic Castle, developing a one man show, release 4-5 downloadable products by my own hand / self publishing and last but not least, working sans table on the streets of NOLA (Or whereever) I've also got a few 'secret' things in the works that should prove to be interesting.  I've got LOTS to accomplish and more!

I got off to a rocky start, but I feel the change is coming (and as Warpo says "the Change will do me good" a hat / tip line when someone dumps change in your chapeau)

Keep your eyes peeled (or get Starcraft 2 and join me in battling! I'm "Connjure" (always :)

As I type the deck of cards at my side is beckoning, I shall now reach for my muse and bid you adieu
have a great day

M.O!

Well, well, nice to see some rumors are true!

In 1994 Jon Racherbaumer published one of my original creations "Chameleon Sandwich" It was released in an "Underground" zine of his known as "Modus Operandi"  I felt like I was on top of a mountain (and since then have climbed many more mountains: very often, thanks to Jon: Thanks Rock!) I have a few routines in these pages. And beyond that: I've read them all (I'm happy to own an original set :) and I can say with confidence, if you're a cardman, there's gold to be mined. You WILL find something of use (check out a brief list of contents below) There are moves, sleights and routines for all levels of cardopia. From simple self workers to complete knuckle busters.

This post is to report the zine is being compiled into a Hardcover keepsake (as it should be) and will be available the first of the year... Presales start now ($45 pre, $55 post) It's being produced by Harry Anderson's Spade and Archer (which I LOVE) and I expect the production to be top notch.

Want one? 
Racherbaumer Writes (Quote)
This is to alert interested parties regarding the upcoming release of...

MO: MODUS OPERANDI BOOK

Meir Yedid and Harry Anderson are publishing an elegant, repackaged rendition of M.O. that features 50+ items, 20 + contributors, 240 + pages, and 180+ photographs. For those who may not know, M.O. was a limited edition quarterly I started back in 1993. If you ever wondered what kind of secrets were being shared by the elite underground, this is what M. O. was all about. Only eight issues were released, spanning from 1993-1996 and proved to be very exclusive. Few complete sets now exist and even single issues are almost impossible to find.

Contributors included: Arturo de Ascanio, Jack Birnman, Christian Chelman, Doug Conn, Daryl, Peter Duffie, "State-Street" Eddie Fay, Lee Freed, Phil Goldstein, Dan Harlan, Brad Henderson, Chris Kenner, Simon Lovell, Edward Marlo, Jon Racherbaumer, Steve Reynolds, Daniel Rhod, Jean-Jacques Sanvert, Bob Sheets, Ken Simmons, Gerry Surma, Jean-Pierre Vallarino and many others.

Some of the routines and techniques include: Another Invisible 21-Card Trick, Ascanio’s Floating Double, Banded Together, Bravura Transposition, Calculated Invisible Toss, Caribbean Assembly, Chameleon Sandwich, Conn’s Opening, Don’t Be Superstitious, Eddie Marlo Lives!, Flutterless Bottom Deal, Graduates Interchange, In Situ Glimpse, Incomplete Surprise, Invisible Palm Festival, Janus Cards to Wallet, Kick-Counting On It!, Killer Kitson Miracle, Lollapalooza Prediction, Observation Test, On the Clip Palm, Playing the Light, Professional Color Vision, Psychic Leap Frog, Rhod Show, Rhumba Count Display, Royal Rollover, Sharper’s Image, Shifting, Whispering Thoughts, Stranger Succession Aces, Subtle Scoop Addition, Swivel Change, The Spectator Works Harder to Triumph, Total A-Band-a-Ment, Universal Mexican, Whispering Snitch and much more.

This exclusive volume is being published by Spade & Archer in 2014 and will be exclusively distributed by Meir Yedid. I will have a limited number of copies available at a special pre-publication price of $45 Postpaid). Thereafter the book will retail for $55. 

Anyone interested in ordering it through me, please send me an e-mail now at Joncards@aol.com if you are interested and I'll add you to my list. Or you can pre- order it through PayPal at geniijon@aol.com and save $10.

Otherwise eventually check with Meir Yedid or Harry Anderson.

Ferre' & Magic as 'Art'

Just a reminder that sometimes "just magic" can be art

Norbert Ferre' (France Champion of Magic)
Amazing, Simple and Funny
http://youtu.be/y174OHQvlrY  (balls)
http://youtu.be/vsBV0atNJz8   (cards)
http://youtu.be/I7XCaIw9yBs  (just goofin)

I saw this act during a "Society of American Magicians" convention
In NOLA at the wonderful Orpheum theatre (long since submerged by Katrina)
His act with a few balls and a deck of cards was the ONLY act to receive a standing O that night (amongst 1/2 a dozen of his peers including some top notch / big / illusion acts: Greg Frewin , etc.)
I've yet to forget his soulful performance and when I need reminding that our art is just that, I look at Ferre'

Open thanks to Norbert for caring enough to make his  magic so good.

If you have some free time and would like to see some more magic 'art'
I suggest you consider Arthur Trace (Stagecraft)
https://www.youtube.com/user/ArthurTrace/videos
His Ball routine is outstanding and his Egg Bag one of the best

Bravo to both of these wonderful guys.
I've mentioned them before & will likely do so again.
good magic is worth re-watching :)
Enjoy

Cardpetition

I’ve been wondering why I’ve seen such unique backed brands of USPC Co. Cards popping up in my local Walmart &/or Walgreens lately

 

Well , well, the floodgates have opened

 

If you haven’t visted their site lately... Check it out:

http://www.shopbicyclecards.com/Bicycle-Cards-C42.aspx

 

D&D , HOPC enjoy the getting while the getting is good... USPC just upped the ante.

I for one can vouch for the quality of these vanity packs. 
I’ve been buying every one I see and I’ve yet to get a stinker in the bunch

 

Wow (drool)

Dozens (and dozens) of GREAT / interesting decks
(and at AFFORDABLE prices... Screw this $9 deck bs... 6 decks for $21 ! Yeah baby)

 

Ok, well, I just found this out... so , I'm gonna go peruse the goods (and the fine print ;)

Happy shopping!

Green Paisley Bikes

Found These at Walgreens today:

They came in purple too... But those looked a bit "feminine"

I was happy to discover white borders & matching jokers (& the cards are in GREAT shape and handle fantastic) alas there's a dull green border on each face and the court cards come across washed out.

I might use the jokers for something, but this pack is purty much going right to the "collectors" pile.

Overall; I'm happy to see Bicycle trying new things & putting those efforts out to public market. Thanks USPCC ... Now can you please make a deck I want to use!

Ok, blabber blabber.... Back to data entry. I have a contest to prepare for!

PP

So, uh

The Phoenix Parlor Deck is AWESOME!

I don't know why I'm telling you this...

I assume most magi will happily maintain their mediocre ways & not giving a rats poop about obtaining tools that could make their magic stronger. Go ahead, stay a step behind me ;) 

The Phoenix Parlor Deck is one of those tools. It's bigger, but not too big. I'm guessing  90% of your standard card sleights could be done with this deck.

And the fact it's (Lesley) Marked ON ALL FOUR CORNERS means you can do material requiring little/no manip at all. 

I'm planning on using it for stack work & hope the bigger cards will be a bit easier (for my audience) to see.

If this were an official review, I'd say:

Highly Reccomended

 Check Em out;

Now get a pack (or 3;)

Ces Bon!

~Finis~

FDC

Fathers Day Cards

I found these on the $1 discount rack at Wal Mart tonight

White Backed "Nordica"

&

Golden Dragon Back

Made by the USPC Company:

Both are purty and handle like butter.

Good luck finding some deals!

6/13/13